Izumo Collection

Now Available

Izumo

Bamboo Weaving Fountain Pen

The “Yokoajiro”

Product Code # PBA-120000Y-#10 Yokoajiro

Nibs in 18kt gold available in fine, medium and broad with specialized custom engraving.

Shunichi Nakata, the founder of Platinum Pen,

launched the Izumo series in 2010 with the help of local craftsmen and the cooperation of officials from Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture. The name was chosen to acknowledge the birthplace of the founder. We are now launching “Bamboo Weaving Fountain Pen Yokoajiro,” adopting the traditional weaving techniques used in Japanese bamboo crafts. Bamboo, which has been closely involved in the lives of Japanese people since the Jomon period, was used for various tools and decorations. Gradually the weaving techniques became an increasingly valued craft and were eventually accepted as a traditional craft. The main feature of this fountain pen is the barrel, which is weaved carefully by skilled traditional craftsmen. We only use torafudake (tiger- spotted bamboo), a type of bamboo that has a beautiful pattern similar to a tiger. After selecting the right bamboo, an oil removal process called aburanuki is used, which provides durability and luster to the surface. After this is arawari, where the bamboo is cut to the appropriate size, and then habatori, a process to cut each bamboo strip to an even width. The bamboo strips are woven in an inclined pattern called yokoajiro, and urushi lacquer is added as a finish, adding luster to the surface and providing a rich dignified look to the fountain pen. We hope you enjoy this masterpiece of rare tiger-spotted bamboo and the yokoajiro weaving texture.

For more information on the manufacturing of this exquisite fountain pen please click on the link.

Torafudake (tiger-spotted bamboo)

A type of bamboo parasitized by bacteria called torafukin, creating the characteristic black spots, which has been prized since the Edo period for its beautiful spotted.

Specifications

Size – 136.5mm×15mm (max. diameter); average weight 30g

Material Body -POM

Barrel, casing – Bamboo

Upper ring, body screw: Black chrome plating on brass

Grip – AS resin

Grip protection ring – Gold plating on stainless steel

Nib – 18K gold wide (18-26) Specialized for Izumo

Accessories

Gift Box – Box made of paulownia wood LN Izumo (4000063)

Bottle ink – Blue-black ink 30cc

Cartridge Ink – One blue-black ink

Converter – Converter 500(4704000)

Refill Cartridge Ink – SPSQ-400, SPN-100A

Izumo

Bamboo Weaving Fountain Pen

“Gozame”

Product number PBA-120000G #15 B enika bairo

Nibs are 18kt gold and available in fine, medium and broad with special custom engraving on the nib.

Product PBA-120000 ＃1 Ankokushoku

Shunichi Nakata, the founder of Platinum Pen,

launched the Izumo series in 2010 with the help of local craftsmen and the cooperation of officials from Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture. The name was chosen to acknowledge the birthplace of the founder. We are now launching “Bamboo Weaving Fountain Pen Gozame,” adopting the traditional weaving techniques used in bamboo crafts. Bamboo, which has been closely involved in the lives of Japanese people since the Jomon period, was used for various tools and decorations. Gradually the weaving techniques became an increasingly valued craft and were eventually accepted as a traditional craft. The main feature of this fountain pen is the barrel, which is weaved carefully by skilled traditional craftsmen. Firstly, an oil removing process called aburanuki is applied, which provides durability and luster to the surface. After this is arawari, where the bamboo is cut to the appropriate size, and then habatori, a process to make each bamboo strip an even width. The bamboo strips are dyed with specially formulated colors and evenly plaited in “gozame” pattern, followed by sabiurushi coating as a finish providing a beautiful contrast of light and shade to the surface. The fountain pen is available in two body colors; a rich dignified look ankokushoku (pitch-dark color) and benikabairo (traditional red color), which brings out shades of dye. We hope you enjoy the beautiful contrast of the light and the texture unique to the bamboo weaving.

Accessories

NEW FROM

THE IZUMO FOUNTAIN PEN

SUMIKO TAKA MAKI-E

THE “SHIKKOKU CHIKURINGUNKOZU”

TIGER IN BAMBOO FOREST

Shunichi Nakata, the founder of Platinum Pen, launched the Izumo series in 2010 with the help of local craftsmen and the cooperation of officials from Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture. The name was chosen to acknowledge the birthplace of the founder. We are now launching “Shikkoku Chikuringunkozu” (tiger in the bamboo forest), adding to our Izumo series shikkoku collection, following last year’s release of “Kurikara-ken.”

Gunkozu is a panel painting, believed to be the work of Tanyu Kano, in which tigers in a bamboo forest are drawn dynamically and with a unique style. On this fountain pen, a tiger with crossed front legs emerging from the bamboo forest is used as a motif.

The illustration is drawn over the jet-black matte body with sumikoage taka maki-e technique, using charcoal powder, called shoen, in several layers to provide a three-dimensional look. The shadow produced by the height of the charcoal powder layers gives depth to the image, so as the barrel catches the light, the illustration is enhanced.

It is a fountain pen that embodies refined Japanese traditional craftwork, as the image of the tiger becomes glossier the more it is used.

Tiger Symbolism in Japan…

Originally the tiger was presented, through images and books, as one of the Four Divine Beasts from China. It was considered a legendary creature since it was never seen in Japan. Due to its powerful image, the tiger has been favored by warriors since ancient times as a symbol of strength. Its likeness was also featured as decoration on buildings and armor.

THE TIGER IN BAMBOO FOREST WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON FROM AUTHORIZED DEALERS.

KURIKARA-KEN

IN THE IZUMO SERIES

The image of “Kurikara Ryu-o” swallowing a huge sword is expressed
on the body through taka maki-e technique using charcoal powder —

Platinum Pen Co., Ltd. has launched the “Kurikara-Ken,” a new fountain pen produced using sumiko taka maki-e technique, from its Izumo brand, created through the most advanced techniques.

Unlike the general taka maki-e*1 technique used in lacquer products, the sumiko taka maki-e technique used to express the image of Kurikara Ryu-o (the dragon) swallowing a huge sword involves a number of processes as the sumiko (charcoal powder) is applied several times to raise the area.

*1 Taka maki-e: Oil smoke is mixed into a transparent urushi lacquer to enhance thickness. Then, gold and silver powders are sprinkled over the raised section.

The image of Kurikara Ryu-o (the dragon): A technique called sumikoage, in which fine charcoal powders are applied several times to create a three-dimensional effect is used. Then, lustrous roiro urushi lacquer is applied over the matte-finished black urushi lacquer to express the facial expression. This technique, which requires a high skill to illustrate Kurikara Ryu-o dragon against the matte background, allows users to enjoy the changes as the face of the dragon becomes glossier throughout time and regular use.

The image of the huge sword: Black lacquer is applied over the silver parts raised using taka maki-e and the surface is polished to make it stand out. The overwhelming contrast between the dragon and the sword as well as the very detailed finish give volume to the body design thus providing an unparalleled presence to the product.

●Accessories:

PRODUCT CODE: # PIZ-120000K #9

NIB SIZES AVAILABLE: FINE, MEDIUM, AND BROAD

Bombay Black Wood

The name Tagayasan comes from the meaning of that which is as hard as a ‘Sword of Iron’. Its origin sword began in Asia. It is used for furniture, interior decoration wood, stick, wooden sword because of the very hard wood. To prevent any change in the wood, we dry this wood for 20 days to remove the water in the wood. The craftsmen finish and grind these wood parts by hand. The warmth of the wood feels quite good in your hand.

THE ART AND HISTORY OF URUSHI

The history of Urushi lacquer goes back to the Stone Age.

The timeless art of Urushi has for centuries has brought to life the intricate depth of Japanese history and culture.

‘NURI（Urushi coating) has many coating techniques. Tamenuri (Urushi lacquer) has many processes. All processes have been performed by traditional experienced craftsman. A vivid beautiful urushi lacquer finish will be increased in beauty over time, you can be proud of Urushi lacquer fountain pen. The URUSHI fountain pen will outlast an original owner by many generations and passed on for each succeeding generation to enjoy treasure.

Kaga Maki-e” Pens Have Been Added to Our “Izumo” Brand,
A Collection of Fountain Pens Created with the Highest Quality Craftsmanship

Hon-Urushi Raden Maki-e Urokomon

Hira maki-e technique is applied, in which over the patterned urushi undercoating, the proper powders are chosen out of several dozen types of gold and silver powders and then sprinkled over. The urokomon, which is recognized as kiccho pattern (scale pattern) from the ancient time, is boldly drawn.